WILBUR SMITH

WILBUR SMITH

Wilbur Smith was born in Northern Rhodesia in 1933. He became a full-time writer in 1964 after the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS, and has since written thirty-nine novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide, from Alaska to Russia. His books have been translated into thirty-two languages and have sold approximately 135,000,000 copies globally, each one topping the charts all around the world. His most recent book is WAR CRY. He is also co-founder of The Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation.

SIMON CASTETS

SIMON CASTETS

Simon Castets is the Director and Curator of Swiss Institute, New York and co-founder of 89plus. He holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from Columbia University and a MA in Cultural Management from Sciences Po, Paris. In addition to exhibitions at Swiss Institute, recent curatorial work includes “Rachel Rose” at Aspen Art Museum, “Champs Elysées” at Palais de Tokyo, Paris (with Julie Boukobza and Nicola Trezzi), “Poetry will be made by all!” at Moderna Museet, Stockholm, and “Filter Bubble” at LUMA Foundation, Westbau (both together with Hans Ulrich Obrist for 89plus). His writing has appeared in catalogues and publications such as Mousse, PIN UP, Flash Art and Kaleidoscope. He has delivered lectures at Columbia University and Brown University and served on several juries.

DEBORAH CURTIS

DEBORAH CURTIS

Deborah Curtis is the author of TOUCHING FROM A DISTANCE, her memoir of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. Edited by Jon Savage and with a foreword by Deborah Curtis, SO THIS IS PERMANENCE presents the intensely personal writings of one of the most enigmatic and influential songwriters and performers of the late twentieth century, Joy Division’s Ian Curtis.

OLAFUR ELIASSON

OLAFUR ELIASSON

Olafur Eliasson’s art is driven by his interests in perception, movement, embodied experience and feelings of self. Striving to make the concerns of art relevant to society at large, art, for Eliasson, is a crucial means for turning thinking into doing in the world. Eliasson’s diverse works – in sculpture, painting, photography, film and installations – have been exhibited widely throughout the world. Olafur Eliasson lives and works in Copenhagen and Berlin. UNSPOKEN SPACES is published by Thames & Hudson.

HALA JABER

HALA JABER

Hala Jaber was born in Beirut and writes for The Sunday Times. She is the first journalist to have won Foreign Correspondent of the Year at the British Press Awards back to back (2005, 2006, 2012) and in 2007 she co-won the Martha Gellhorn Prize for her work in Iraq. THE FLYING CARPET TO BAGHDAD is the memoir of Jaber’s descent into Iraq with her husband photographer in tow, as she naively tries to report a war that becomes more unpredictable as every hour passes.

HRH PRINCESS MICHAEL OF KENT

HRH PRINCESS MICHAEL OF KENT

Princess Michael of Kent was born near Carlsbad in Bohemia, and descends from ancient European lineage of both sides of her family. Having lived in Austria, Australia and on her father’s farm in Mozambique, the Princess moved to London from Vienna to continue her historical studies, and subsequently formed her own interior design company. She married His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent in Vienna in 1978. They have two children and two grandchildren. Princess Michael has written three historical biographies and three historical novels. Princess Michael has a great love for animals and is Royal Patron of three animal conservation organisations in Africa. A CHEETAH’S TALE describes her travels through Africa in the 1960s, which sparked her lifelong interest in wildlife, and cheetahs in particular.

PAUL LAKE

PAUL LAKE

Paul Lake is a former professional footballer who played for Manchester City FC and England under-21s between 1986 and 1992. A local boy and a lifelong City fan, he was acclaimed as one of the most promising young talents to have ever worn the sky blue shirt. His glittering career, however, was tragically cut short following a serious injury from which he never recovered. After a decade spent working as a sports physiotherapist, Paul rejoined his old club in April 2010, taking on the role of Ambassador for Manchester City in the Community. He now works for the Premier League as Club Support Manager. I’M NOT REALLY HERE, a memoir of his life in football, was published by Century in the summer of 2011 and was shortlisted for the British Sports Book Award, Football Book of the Year 2012.

HANS ULRICH OBRIST

HANS ULRICH OBRIST

Hans Ulrich Obrist was listed as the most powerful person in the art world by the Art Review 2009 Power 100. Obrist was born in Zurich in May 1968. He joined the Serpentine Gallery as Co-director of Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of International Projects in April 2006. Prior to this he was Curator of the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris since 2000, as well as curator of museum in progress, Vienna, from 1993-2000. He has curated and co-curated over 200 solo and group exhibitions internationally since 1991. Visit him on Twitter or his handwriting project on Instagram. His most recent book is WAYS OF CURATING.

BERNARD SUMNER

BERNARD SUMNER

Bernard Sumner is a musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and producer. He is a founding member and the lead vocalist and guitarist of New Order. Sumner is also known for being a founding member of the bands Joy Division and Bad Lieutenant. He also recorded with Johnny Marr as Electronic and was the lead vocalist of the band. CHAPTER AND VERSE is his memoir.

CHRISTOPHER WINN

CHRISTOPHER WINN

Christopher Winn has worked as a writer and producer in television, theatre and newspapers for over 20 years. He has worked with the late Terry Wogan and Jonathan Ross and sets quiz questions for television as well as for the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph. He is the author of the I NEVER KNEW THAT series and is married to artist Mai Osawa who illustrates his books. His most recent book is LONDON BY TUBE.